Controller for a temporary smart grid

Manages generation, storage, distribution, and demand

In the event of an emergency in which necessary electrical power is lost or disrupted for a significant length of time, a temporary power grid may be set up to meet prioritized demand. For instance, a flood may disable the installed electrical grid for several days during which local healthcare, emergency response, security systems, and communications are compromised. At the same time, functional energy generating assets may be available such as solar power, hydro, or diesel generators, but the absence of distribution, storage, and management systems for those resources render them useless to anyone further away than the length of an extension cord.

To address the above issues, Navy researchers have developed an electrical system controller that can be set up quickly and connected to available power sources, sensors, storage devices, and end users. Power sources can include those installed and operational or temporary sources such as generators. Sensors monitor load and available supply on the temporary microgrid, as well as a plethora of other data including weather and the status of assets. Storage devices may include batteries and other systems, which can be charged through the power conditioner. End users can include homes, standalone machines, computer or communications networks, or any other electricity demanding unit.

Benefits

Smart controller includes a rule-based analytics engine capable of receiving and dispatching instructions in a variety of channels or code and can interface with local or remote databases

Smart controller has a prediction engine to estimate network disruption or failure of any assets on the temporary microgrid

The Opportunity

US patent 9,589,241 available for license

Potential for collaboration with Navy researchers

Articles & Downloads

Let's Talk

Sean Patten, CLP

Sean Patten, CLP

Sean is TechLink’s specialist in software and information technology. In over 14 years at TechLink, he has brokered more than 180 license agreements, is a pioneer of DoD online licensing activities, and a member of the development team for the Innovation Discovery Process. Prior to joining TechLink, Sean gained extensive industry experience in air pollution control equipment, and fiber-optic test and measurement devices for the telecommunications industry. He is a Certified Licensing Professional, and enjoys reading classical literature, working horses and cattle, and rodeoing in Montana with his children.